A bizarre and horrific crime has taken center stage in an Adair County Courtroom Thursday morning as a Kirksville man stands accused of allegedly dismembering 74-year-old Willis Edward Meredith on January 6th.

49-year-old Paul Potter is charged with first degree murder, arson, tampering, armed criminal action and burglary. Potter was witnessed allegedly throwing the victim’s severed arms at witnesses who had responded to the disturbance. Potter was initially charged with second degree murder, that charge was upgraded after further investigation.

Potter was arraigned Thursday and is now scheduled for a preliminary hearing on February 22nd at 9 a.m. His bond is set at $1-million cash only.